Fire crews arrived close to 2 p.m. to find flames and smoke. It took crews nearly an hour to get inside because the home was full of items, which were also blocking the entrance. Firefighters eventually had to cut a hole in the outside wall to get inside, WHNT reports.

District Chief Scott Pettitt told WHNT the homeowner was a hoarder, which created safety issues for the firefighters who were inside.

The homeowner told WHNT he has lived in the house about 40 years and has filled his home during that time. He said he didn't know how the fire started.